ABOUT US

MEET OUR STAFF

Maggie Rickman
Maggie Rickman
Maggie is a Muay Thai instructor, yoga teacher, fitness professional and retired fighter. She has always been passionate about fitness and learning new things. If you asked her at a young age what she thought she would do as her career, Maggie would have said, “either a speech writer for the President or a triathlete.”

While neither of those things actually happened (Maggie can’t swim and she never worked in politics), she did eventually turn her love of fitness and learning into her career.

Maggie began her martial arts journey because she was searching for a workout that would challenge her body and her mind. She was seeking an activity where she was actually learning something, rather than simply mindlessly working out. Maggie discovered Muay Thai and immediately fell in love.

With her dedication to her training over the years and her love for sport, Maggie decided that she wanted to make a change in her life’s work. She wanted to contribute something positive to the world. She knew that for her, when she was working in the corporate world, the hour or two she spent training each day was the best part of her day. Maggie hoped she could bring that same joy to other people.

So she quit her job as a busy litigation attorney at a fast paced Manhattan law firm, sold all of her belongings, and moved to Thailand to dedicate herself to training and fighting. Maggie spent 2 years living in a Muay Thai camp in Thailand training twice a day, six days a week. She trained alongside high level fighters such as Kanongsuk Chuwatthana, Jomthong Chuwattana, Kongfah Aood Donmuang, and Yothin FA Group and fought for such promotions as MBK Fight Night, M-150, Songkran Celebration, and the Queen’s Birthday Celebration.

In addition to spending much of her life training Martial Arts, Maggie has also been dedicated to her yoga practice. She found her way into a yoga room shortly after beginning her martial arts training and has been practicing yoga for over 15 years. Maggie completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training while living in Thailand. She has been teaching yoga for over 6 years, specializing in Hatha, Vinyasa and Restorative styles.

Maggie was able to turn her love of learning, fitness and fun into her profession. She has been teaching Muay Thai, yoga, and functional fitness since returning from Thailand!

Over her many years of training, Maggie has become passionate about educating her students about muscle activation, mobility and recovery as a way to keep their joints and muscles healthy. These practices will allow them to optimize their training, while also reducing their risk of injury. She and Danny hold seminars teaching these systems and the importance of including them into everyone’s daily training routines.

Maggie is forever a student and attends seminars and workshops to increase her knowledge base as both an athlete and a teacher.

Danny Millet
Danny Millet
Danny Millet is a Fitness Professional, a retired professional fighter and an active member of the local Muay Thai community who judges fights and trains with upcoming amateur and professional competitors.

After completing a day of work, Danny would rush to his martial arts gym to maximize his training time. Practicing and competing in many disciplines, including Boxing, Judo, Brazillian Ju-Jitsu, and MMA, he fell in love with Muay Thai. We believe it’s because the shorts have sparkly letters.

For many years Danny was an electrician who knew there was more to life than just punching a clock and splicing wires for 10 hours out of the day. He donated his belongings to the local veteran’s hall and put his 2-week notice in to pursue a fighting career in Thailand.

For 2 years Danny trained at well-respected gyms alongside high-level fighters like KongFah Aood DonMuang, Kanongsuk ChuWatthana, JomThong ChuWatthana, YoThin FA Group and fought in prestigious stadium shows such as Rajadamnern, Lumphini, Petch Buncha, M150, and MBK Fight Night.

On the long flight back to the USA, Danny knew this was his calling. He devoted his time to sharing his love and knowledge of Muay Thai and the many weight loss and fitness benefits of training in martial arts.

“I want to keep training deep into my 70s and beyond.”

It’s not just about competing or fight training, Danny is a student first, who seeks out other educational systems towards health and fitness. He’s a Certified Kettlebell Instructor (HKC) and is currently enrolled in Precision Nutrition, Functional Movement Screening, and attends a plethora of Speed & Strength seminars.

“Muay Thai Boxing helped me lose weight, get in shape, gain confidence, and build my self-esteem. My goal is to get people to do the same. Have fun, get fit and feel good.”

Jon Calestine
Jon Calestine
Jon Calestine is a jiu-jitsu black belt under Daisuke Yamaji of the Renzo Gracie Fight Academy, having also worked extensively with Tony B, Eddie Cummings, and John Danaher. Widely regarded as one of the top 145 pound grapplers of his generation in the submission only professional grappling circuit, Calestine is best known for his wins at the Eddie Bravo Invitational, Onnit Invitational, Sapateiro Invitational, and Finishers Sub-Only.

Full name: Jonathan calestine

Nickname: “Jon”

Lineage: M. Maeda > C. Gracie > H. Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr > Renzo Gracie > Daisuke Yamaji > Jon Calestine

Main Achievements:

  • 1st Place EBI Eddie Bravo Invitational 15 (2018)
  • 1st Place Onnit Invitational 4 (2017)
  • 1st Place Sapateiro Invitational 9 (2017)
  • 1st Place The Finishers 3 Sub-Only (2017)

Favorite Position/Technique: Inside and Outside Heel Hooks

Weight Division: Peso Pluma (64,00 kg / 141.5 lbs)

Kit Yeung
Kit Yeung
Kit has been practicing martial arts since 2008. He has a background in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has competed in amateur Muay Thai and MMA competitions. He is also a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and have a passion in teaching little kids Muay Thai. You can see his interview on NY1 below!
Mike Robinson
Mike Robinson
Mike Robinson, a purple belt in BJJ under Chad Vasquez, has over 20 years experience teaching and coaching in various capacities. He began working with young athletes as a health and Phys. Ed. Counselor for the United Way Boys and Girl’s Clubs in 1999. In 2001 he became a certified fitness trainer and has worked in various gyms throughout New York City while maintaining a private practice.

It only made sense that after beginning his training in Jiu-Jitsu in 2010 he would eventually gravitate toward teaching and coaching. In 2017 “Coach Mike” took over the kid’s BJJ program at Hinds Combat Sports in LIC where he created a successful competition team. He also ran a popular A.M. adult beginners class.

After assisting since the inception of the BJJ program at Kings Combat WillyB, Mike is excited to take the next step in his teaching journey as head coach. The class will be geared toward beginner to intermediate grappling students. Coach Mike’s goal is to facilitate a path for those interested in competing as well as creating a fun, supportive environment for students whose priority is purely recreation and/or self defense.

Joey
Joey
Joey has been training Muay Thai for over 10 years. He is still actively competing, training and teaching. Joey is also a 2x Amateur Muay Thai Champion.

Isa Friedlander
Isa Friedlander
Isa was born and raised in Costa Rica where she began training judo at the age of 14. She competed for the Costa Rican national team for several years. While in college in the US, she became a senior national judo champion. After graduating, she competed in and for the United States, with notable medals at the US Open, Quebec Open, and a World Cup.

Isa is a purple belt in Brazilian jiujitsu and recently won the SOGI absolute advanced division. Her goal is to make judo accessible through technique-based instruction with an emphasis on throws that have cross-discipline applications.
Coach Leor
Coach Leor
Leor has been training and competing in martial arts since the age of 17. He has been training along side ufc veterans and high level competitors in kickboxing, MMA and Jiu-Jitsu throughout his whole career. Leor brings a modern approach to Jiu- Jitsu that is clear and precise.

His passion for technique is equally matched by his passion for teaching. Leor has competed in jiu jitsu, kickboxing and MMA though he credits his breadth of knowledge due to his constant study. You will regularly see him attending classes as well as teaching them in order to further expand on what he knows and to stay up to date on current trends. Leor was awarded his black belt by Daniel Gracie in May 2020.
Sammy Yuen
Sammy Yuen
Sammy Yuen is a life-long martial artist. Learning Tai Chi from his father as a young boy, wrestling in high school and college (Syracuse University). Transitioning to Tae Kwon Do upon graduation where he holds a second-degree black belt and he competed nationally and internationally, is 7X state champion (4 as a black belt).

When MMA took off in 2007, he transitioned again to boxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian ju-jitsu. He is currently a brown-belt under Mike Jeramillo at the Renzo Gracie Academy. With the rise of anti-Asian hate, he co-founded Team Self-Defense with friend and former training partner Kit Yeung. They have been teaching self-defense to everyone from senior citizens to kids all over New York City. The focus of the program is spatial, situational awareness and avoiding confrontation. Sammy has years of experience teaching group and private classes and looks forward to working with you.

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